Jesus
told His disciples that the close of the age would be distinguished
by signs, one of which is “abounding iniquity.” Arguably,
childlike innocence is more a relic of the past than it is the norm.
For good reason folks seldom leave keys in unattended cars, or bedroom
windows wide open while sleeping.

Sadly,
it would take eight Vietnams to fill as many graves as have been packed
by Americans killed by fellow citizens. Crime originates from every
rung of society. Daily, misdeeds of powerful politicians and self-serving
corporate executives demonstrate our “losing the sense of shame
that once accompanied the act of theft, private or public” (Lawrence
W. Reed, “Ideas on Liberty,” THE FREEMAN 2008).

Although
cynicism abounds, understandably so, those who hope in the Lord remain
“of good courage” and “strengthened in heart”
(Psalms 31:24).

Most
Maligned Mandates

Perhaps
more than ever “the wicked freely strut about when what is vile
is honored among men” (Ps. 12:8, NIV). Ask Swedish Pastor Ake
Green, sentenced to a month in prison for “disrespecting”
homosexuals. While preaching the Bible landed the good pastor in the
slammer, Milk landed an Oscar for screenwriter Dustin Lance
Black.

Evidently,
progressive Americans embrace what God most hates—namely, wicked
imaginations, pride and hands that shed innocent blood (Proverbs 6:16ff).
Hence, all the while African-Americans are fighting the high toll of
abortion on their own communities (aptly labeled Black Genocide) President
Obama emerges as “the most extreme pro-abortion legislator ever
to serve in either house of the United States Congress.”

Especially
with respect to issues of life and traditional marriage, there is “a
growing paranoia about evangelical influence in American politics. The
academic and journalistic left used to dismiss followers of Jesus as
boobs. Now some see [them] as diabolical; … and what once was
laughed at may soon be legislated against” (Marvin Olasky, World,
Sept 2008).

For
these, hope is found in the surety that where sin abounds, God’s
grace super abounds (Romans 5:20).

Wars
and Rumors Thereof

Bible
prophecy has been proven accurate: More wars have been fought in the
last 200 years than in all of the preceding 1700 years combined. It
has been asserted that prior to 9-11, the Iranian regime was responsible,
if only indirectly, for the murder of more Americans than any other
country or organization in the world.

Fact
is Iran remains our principle enemy in the Middle East. Not President
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, but rather Khomeini’s successor Ali Khamenei
bears the title of “Supreme Leader.” It is he demanding
“DEATH TO AMERICA” and the Lesser Satan, Israel (Former
White House National Security advisor, Michael Ledeen, The Iranian
Time Bomb).

Global
tensions are not restricted to the plight of Palestine or God-sanctioned
Israeli entitlement. Amidst a devastating gas dispute, Russia recently
cut off all gas supplies to Europe—this, without warning—and
thereby demonstrated Moscow’s confrontational posture toward the
West. With Russia behind him, Chavez is likely to fill the vacuum left
by Fidel Castro. Loss of Latin America to Moscow-backed Chavez is a
growing threat.

Adding
insult to injury, terrorist cells continue to grow worldwide in some
forty nations. Within the week of its occurrence, Golda Meir’s
former body guard Juval Aviv accurately predicted the London subway
bombing. As President and CEO of an international corporate intelligence
and investigations firm based in New York, he now foresees an imminent
terrorist attack on U.S. soil.

Calamitous
threats as these contribute to widespread anxiety, but Bible believers
experience “peace that passes understanding.” Theirs is
“a better hope” than what the world has to offer (Philippians
4:7; Hebrews 7:19).

Ethnos
(Race) v. Ethnos (Race)

One
cannot discount inspiration derived from the Obama story. That said,
on more than one occasion, even African-American Pastor Clenard Childress
has spoken out against the President.

In
having “prevailed against the system,” Obama broke a long-standing
glass ceiling. Thus, he rendered as moot the racially-propelled, now
outmoded “blame game” that for decades had served only to
fragment American society (World, 6 December 2008).

Or
did he? It has been alleged that Obama’s autobiography Dreams
From My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance is “obsessed
with race and race conflict.” Portraying U.S. history as a consistent
tale of oppression, Obama stews about injustices he never personally
experienced.

Having
grown up under Communism in Soviet Russia, author Ayn Rand gained insights
into the destructiveness of socialism. Her classic novel, Atlas
Shrugged, describes economic carnage caused by big government run
amok. Although Rand foresaw our making the same politically expedient
mistakes, America’s politicians remain hell bent on committing
the very acts of economic lunacy that Rand parodied in 1957.

As
America goes, so goes the world; and—make no mistake—President
Obama’s 83-page Blueprint for Change calls for vast expansion
of federal government. From the perspective of Georgia Congressman Paul
Broun, the Blueprint is an obvious call for socialism.

Unfortunately,
“none are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe
they are free” (Goethe). There is liberty for the captive only
where the spirit of the Lord is. Truth is what sets us free (Isaiah
61:1; John 8:32).

Rights-based
Liberalism

An
up-and-coming global force, President Obama has expressed strong commitment
to the U.N. and its various sovereignty-compromising programs—specifically,
the U.N. Millennium Development Goals 2000. Embraced by 191 U.N. Member
States, eight targeted goals serve developing countries and empower
women.

Be
sure, formal world federalism is well linked to rights-based liberalism.
Over just a few years, Americans will be required to ante up hundreds
of billions of dollars that will do precious little to improve the plight
of the world’s poor. Instead, their taxes will serve only to strengthen
the U.N. and enrich corrupt foreign dictators.

Though
we have the poor with us always, God will not forsake nor see His seed
begging for bread. This is a certain hope (Matthew 26:11; Psalms 37:25).

Strategic
Lunacy

Senior
economics writer for The Wall Street Journal editorial page
Stephen Moore explains: Politicians invariably create and then respond
to crises by spawning new government programs, laws and regulations.
These, in turn, generate more havoc and poverty, which inspires the
politicians to create more programs.

The
downward spiral repeats itself until productive sectors of the economy
collapse under the collective weight of taxes and other burdens imposed
in the name of fairness, equality and do-goodism.

The
more incompetent one is in business, the more handouts the politicians
bestow. That's precisely the justification for subsidies doled out to
keep afloat distressed insurance companies, banks, Wall Street investment
houses and auto companies.

Even
so, President Obama is on record as regretting that Supreme Court decisions
have not been radical enough to order redistribution of wealth. Problem
is, when profits, wealth and creativity are denigrated, they start to
disappear, leaving everyone the poorer (Phyllis Schlafly Report,
December 2008).

Throughout
life’s journey, each must carry his own backpack or burden. Excessively
heavy ones are rightfully shared; however, as a rule, the industrious
(not sluggards, nor shysters) are deemed “worthy of their hire.”
That is to say, these are blessed with the fruit of their own labors
(Galatians 6:5; Romans 15:1; 1 Timothy 5:18).

The
Asian Century

For
many, a new administration refreshes hope for desired change in pursuit
of a better America. However, many in the media have begun referring
to the 21st century as the Asian Century—this, because of the
predicted growing power in Asia. With it comes Eastern mysticism.

When
merged with the conciliatory gospel of the West, neo-pantheistic syncretism
debases our culture, work ethic, private property and free enterprise.
To the contrary, the exercise of sound biblical principles—hard
work as unto the Lord, discretionary spending, earth stewardship and
cheerful generosity—is certain to sustain free society propelled
by biblical ethic.

Where’s
the Hope?

If
cross-cultural iniquity abounds at all levels of society, as surely
it does, the question remains: Where’s hope to be found when cynicism,
paranoia, fear, mistrust, blame, greed and spiritual deception dominate?

The
answer’s surely not to be found in global politics, economics
or religious systems. Instead, “Messenger of Hope” David
Bryant has issued a joyful manifesto on the supremacy of God’s
son through which he emphasizes these four goals: proclaim
a comprehensive vision of Christ’s supremacy, awaken
hope focused on this larger vision, empower then mobilize leaders,
and equip other “Messengers of Hope” to follow
suit.

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Herein
lays our hope as Americans: an uncontrollable spiritual brush fire that
ultimately yields the triumph of God’s global charge, not man’s
counterfeit of it. By awakening to an unfolding revelation of God’s
glory, believers will experience fresh winds of passion, mission and—yes—hope
that can’t be quelled no matter the prevailing circumstances.

Daughter of an
Army Colonel, Debra graduated with distinction from the University of
Iowa. She then completed a Master of Education degree from the University
of Washington. These were followed by Bachelor of Theology and Master
of Ministries degrees-both from Pacific School of Theology.

While a teacher
in Kuwait, Debra undertook a three-month journey from the Persian Gulf
to London by means of VW "bug"! One summer, she tutored the daughter of
Kuwait's Head of Parliament while serving as superintendent of Kuwait's
first Vacation Bible School.

Having authored
the ABCs of Globalism and ABCs
of Cultural -Isms, Debra speaks to Christian and secular groups alike.
Her radio spots air globally. Presently, Debra co-hosts WOMANTalk
radio with Sharon Hughes and Friends, and she contributes monthly commentaries
to Changing Worldviews and NewsWithViews.com. Debra calls the Pacific
Northwest home.

If cross-cultural
iniquity abounds at all levels of society, as surely it does, the question
remains: Where’s hope to be found when cynicism, paranoia, fear,
mistrust, blame, greed and spiritual deception dominate?